Improvement in game apparatus



F. W. SMITH.

Game Apparatus.

PatentedDec. 23,1873.

At! orneys.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

FRIEND IV. SMITH, CF BRIDGEPORT, CONNECTICUT.

IMPROVEMENT IN GAME APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 145,914, dated December 23, 1873 application filed V May 21, 1873.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRIEND W. SMITH, of Bridgeport, in the county of Fairfield and in the State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Games 5 and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference beinghadto the accompanying drawings and to the letters of reference marked thereon, making a part of this specification.

The nature of my invention consists in a by game apparatus, on which. a series of numbered or lettered pins are arranged on a perforated and cushioned base, and numbered or lettered rings used to pitch on said pins, as will be hereinafter more fully set forth.

In order to enable others skilled in the art to which my invention appertains to make and use the same, I will now proceed to describe its construction and mode of using, referring to the annexed drawing, in which Figure 1 is a perspective View of my toy game. Fig. 2 is a plan view, and Fig. 3 a longitudinal section of one of the rings used.

Arepresents a stand or base of any suitable form and size, which is covered on its upper surface by a cushion, B. Through this base and cushion are made a number of holes for the reception of a series of pins, C C. These pins may be any number desired, and may,

also, be arranged in any manner that may be desired. On the upper ends of the pins C C numbers or letters are painted or otherwise permanently afiizged. In connection with these pins I use any desired number of rings, D D, which have figures or letters cast, stamped, or otherwise permanently affixed to them.

The game is to throw the rings D D onto the pins C C, and count the result. If aring falls between the pins, the number on the ring only is counted 3 but if the ring falls over a pin, the numbers on both are counted. If the ring falls beyond the pins, as shown at a: x in Fig. 1, or so as to rest against a pin, as shown at y, it counts for nothing.

It is evident that many other modes of using this game might be conceived; henceI do not confine myself to the mode herein described, that being merely an illustration of one mode of using it.

The pins being arranged in a portable stand or base, the game may be taken outdoors, or used in the house, as desired. The cushion B lessens the noise, and protects the base from being battered by the rings. This game serves not only as an amusement, but is also instructive, as children may be taught to count, and, by having the pins lettered, they can learn the alphabet at the same time as they amuse themselves.

In some cases, (especially where the rings are lettered,) the rings D D may be used without any numbers upon them; and the numbered or lettered rings may be used with one or more pins having no numbers or letters.

When the game is to be played outdoors, the pins C C may be driven into the ground, and the base entirelydispensed'with, the cushioned base being particularly designed for use in the house.

Having thus fully described my invention, whatI claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

I. In apit'ch or toss game apparatus for parlor use, a perforated and cushioned base, for the purposes herein set forth.

2. The combination of the cushioned and perforated base A, the numbered or lettered pins C C, and the numbered or lettered rings D D, all constructed substantially as and for the purposes herein set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 20th day of May, 1873.

F. W. SMITH.

Vitnesses O. M. ALEXANDER, A. N. MARR. 

